Washington goes big for Bernie

As the Democratic presidential primary season rolls on, Washington sate got its chance on Saturday, March 26, to weigh in on the race between former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Across the state, more than 230,000 people participated in the Democratic caucuses, the results of which allocate delegates to the legislative district caucuses in April, which are winnowed down to the 101 elected delegates for the national convention in July.

Of those voting on Saturday, Washingtonians made it clear: Most of them are “feeling the Bern.”

Sanders handily won the state with 73 percent of delegates, while sweeping each one of Washington’s 39 counties. The result was a hair closer in King County, where the senator won 67 percent of the vote.

Many locations — especially in the Seattle area — dealt with turnout so large it created logistical headaches, as the number neared the record 250,000 who caucused in 2008. However, things ran smoothly at Eckstein Middle School (3003 N.E. 75th St.) in North Seattle.

Several hundred people crowded into the school’s auditorium, filling both the lower deck and balcony, to hear from Washington sate Democratic Chair Jaxon Ravens and 46th District Rep. Gerry Pollet, before getting instructions on how the caucus process works.

‘What democracy looks like’

Ravens, who lives in the neighborhood, told the crowd that they were there for three important reasons: to have their voices heard on who should be the next Democratic presidential nominee, to show that the rhetoric of Donald Trump and Ted Cruz goes against the values of Washingtonians and to stand up for the Democratic Party they believe in — one of inclusion, justice and opportunity.

In particular, Ravens called the divisive talk on the Republican side “darkness.

“That is not where we want to be and not where we want to go,” he said.

Ravens also mentioned the races down ballot from the presidency, including the reelection efforts of Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray, and retaking the state Senate and holding the House.

“Don’t forget when you’re casting your ballot in November and you’re talking to your friends and family about this, make sure they vote all the way down the ballot,” he said. “And it’s not just about candidates, but it’s about some of the issues we’re working on, the values we share.”

Meanwhile, Pollet said, “this is what democracy looks like. When people say that we’ve abandoned democracy to corporations and wealthy people who pour millions of dollars that can’t be traced, look around you and say, ‘We couldn’t be bought.’ Your votes can’t be bought, and your knocking on doors, making phone calls and talking to your neighbors is what will win in November.”

The representative also mentioned that those attending the caucuses were thinking about the future and addressing issues like climate change, education funding and a tax system that “allows for a state with one of the greatest accumulations of wealth to not tax the wealthy.

“We’re here because schools like Eckstein, where children and teachers are exposed to asbestos, where the sewage overflows, the classrooms are overcrowded,” he said. “Where, in the neighborhood elementary schools around us, we have 28 kids in kindergarten and first grades, when their constitutional right is to have 17 in a classroom.”

Civil discourse

Though much of the online discourse between supporters of either candidate has been less the cordial in recent weeks, the crowds at Eckstein engaged in passionate yet civil discussion.

Josie Hazen was among those who supported Clinton on Saturday.

“I think that she has the experience and the leadership to carry the party,” Hazen said. “I think that Mr. Sanders, while he’s very admirable, is a little too leftist and a little too independent for my liking, in terms of being a viable candidate all the way to the November ballot.”

Meanwhile, Aaron Konsker caucused as a supporter of Sanders.

“As a young person who’s interested in going into a master’s program and continuing a higher education, Bernie Sanders actually wants to make that affordable,” he said, “whereas Hillary Clinton has only talked about it because she was forced to talk about it because Bernie Sanders has talked about it.”

Next up are the legislative district caucuses, set for April 17, and county conventions on May 1. Those two events are followed by congressional district caucuses on May 21 and the state convention from June 17 to 19, before the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, from July 25 to 28.

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